AIDS: A timeline of developments

1981

Doctors in the U.S., France, Haiti and Zaire begin to notice patients dying of infections that most people would be able to fight off.

1982

Canada records its first case of AIDS.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) establishes the term Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome to describe the symptoms and risk factors. The CDC initially identifies four high risk groups: gay men, injection drug users, Haitians and people with hemophilia A.

1983

Canada forms a national task force on AIDS.

French researchers isolate a virus that would later be named human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV.

The CDC adds female sexual partners of men with AIDS as a fifth risk group.

1984

The world's first needle exchange program is established in the Netherlands. It is designed, initially, to prevent the spread of Hepatitis-B among injecting drug users but is later expanded to address HIV transmission.

1985

In October, the first International AIDS conference is held in Atlanta, Ga.

Canadian Red Cross begins testing blood products for the AIDS virus.

U.S. movie star Rock Hudson becomes the first internationally recognized figure to reveal he has AIDS.

At least one case of HIV/AIDS is reported in every region of the world. An estimated 1.5 million people are living with HIV.

1987

The first antiretroviral drug – AZT – is approved by U.S. FDA.

The World Health Organization launches its global programme on AIDS.

1988

The World Health Organization declares the first World AIDS Day - Dec. 1.

1989

On Dec. 14, Ottawa announces compensation for people who contracted HIV from tainted blood products.

1990

Canada approves the antiretroviral drug AZT.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves AZT for treating children with AIDS.

1991

The red ribbon is established as a symbol of AIDS awareness. The ribbon was the brainchild of a group of artists in New York, who gave it to people attending the Tony Awards that year. The ribbon quickly became an icon of the AIDS awareness movement.

1992

AIDS becomes leading cause of death for Americans aged 25 to 44. The trend continues to 1995.

1995

First protease inhibitor, saquinavir, is approved in the U.S. The drug is part of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The new drug therapies lead to dramatic declines in deaths from AIDS.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS established to coordinate efforts of six different UN programs devoted to AIDS. It is known as UNAIDS and becomes operational in 1996.

UNAIDS estimates that 18 million people worldwide are living with HIV.

1996

Drug companies release HIV therapies.

1998

Doctors begin noticing drug-resistant strains of HIV.

The first large-scale human trial of an HIV vaccine begins in North America. 

1999

The first human vaccine trial in a developing country begins in Thailand.

South African President Thabo Mbeki raises eyebrows by questioning the link between HIV and AIDS.

2000

United Nations Security Council declares HIV/AIDS a security risk.

UNAIDS, WHO and other global health groups announce an initiative with five major drug makers to negotiate lower prices for AIDS drugs in developing countries.

UNAIDS estimates that more than 27 million people around the world are living with HIV.

2001

The World Trade Organization's Doha agreement allows developing countries to buy or make generic drugs to meet public health crises, including HIV/AIDS.

Drug companies agree to reduce prices of generic AIDS drugs in developing countries.

AIDS becomes the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, according to UNAIDS and WHO.

2002

HIV becomes the leading cause of death worldwide for those aged 15 to 59.

UNAIDS reports that half of adults living with HIV are women.

2003

The William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation secures price reductions for AIDS drugs from generic manufacturers. Thirteen developing nations will benefit.

2005

Canada commits $140 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The amount is greater than its total contributions from 2001-2004.

2006

June 5 marks a quarter-century since the U.S. government issued its first warning about the disease that would become known as AIDS.

The 16th annual International AIDS Conference is held in Toronto from Aug. 13-18.

2007

The WHO and UNAIDS recommend male circumcision "always be considered as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention package."

2009

Researchers find a new strain of HIV-1 that originated with gorillas. The new strain was found in a Cameroonian woman.